The seed of doubt was planted.

It would take root and grow.

It would chip away at Kira's blind faith in Austyn until she could no longer ignore the truth.

Gideon stayed in his car and made a call.

'Strange to hear from you,' Liam said after picking up. "What's up?"

'I need to ask you something.'

'You can ask. I can choose whether to answer."

'Why did Austyn marry Kira a year ago?"

"That's what you called to ask?' Liam's eyebrows shot up. 'Didn't know you're such a gossip.'

'Cut the crap. Do you know the answer or not?'

'You got me there.' Liam shrugged 'I don't.'

Gideon said after a pause, "The deal we made last time still stands. I'll give you whatever you need-money, manpower, connections, even weapons. But you'll have to show good faith as well.

'Since when am I NOT showing good faith?"

"Then tell me the truth about Austyn's marriage.

'I told you, I have no idea. My dear brother and are not exactly bosom buddies, you know. He doesn't share his innermost thoughts with me, and vice versa. Besides, what makes you so

sure there has to be something more? Why can't he just get married because he wants to?' Gideon's mirthless laughter travelled down the line 'Come on. You and I are both men. So's Austyn. Will you marry a woman you barely know?"

'I might,' Liam said just to be contrarian. 'Especially if she's as cute as Kira'

'Be serious. Don't forget who we're talking about here. From what you know about Austyn, do you think he's the type to get into a blitz marriage?"

Liam fell silent.

gideon was right.

He'd heard of love at first sight, but never marriage at first sight.

Especially not for Austyn, a man who always planned five steps ahead.

But try as he might, Liam just couldn't imagine what Austyn would want from Kira.

She had no money, no connections, nothing for Austyn to exploit.

Which left only one logical explanation-she just happened to be the right person at the right

time.

Bonus For Free Every Day

It Can B

Up Their Marriage

'I really don't know what to tell you,' Liam said evenly. 'I could do some digging it you!

Maybe I'll find something. Maybe I wouldn't. Just don't hold your breath."

Gideon fell silent.

Liam didn't sound like he was lying.

He had more access to people in Austyn's life than Gideon did.

If anyone had a shot at uncovering the truth, it was going to be Liam.

'I'm going to hold you to that,' Gideon said slowly.

'Sure.'

Gideon was about to end the call.

"Wait."

"What?"

'You asked for a show of good faith, right?' Liam said. 'Here's something you might find. interesting.'

'I don't care about interesting. I want something useful."

'Oh, trust me, it's useful,' Liam chuckled. 'You just need to know how to use it. Don't you want to get back together with Kira? Play your cards right, and it could happen sooner than you hoped.' "What is it?"

Liam smiled to himself. 'Austyn's not in Stamford anymore. In fact, he's not even in the country right now. He booked two plane tickets to Trinidonia this morning. Guess who was going with him? 'Who?"

'Deborah Connelly, his ex-girlfriend."

Gideon's pulse quickened.

This was indeed useful information.

'Why?' he asked.

Liam told him.

When Liar heard the bombshell news outside the ward, the first thing he did was turn around

and leave.

Neither Austyn nor Deborah knew their secret was out.

Gideon'

eyes widened.

Then a smile slowly spread across his face.

'I owe you one,' he said.

He had made the right call to partner up with Liam.

The intel he shared was more than useful.

It was lethal.

If Gideon used it right, it could blow up Austyn and Kira's marriage.

***

Kira was panting when she reached Giana's apartment.

She didn't wait for the lift and ran up all seven flights of stairs,

She bent over, planted both hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath.

She knew she was being a coward, running away from Gideon and his difficult questions, but she just couldn't face them at the moment. Kira knocked on the door.

""Who is it?"

'It's me, Kira.'

She heard hurried footsteps, then the door opened.

'You came fast.' Giana had received a text from Kira half an hour ago.

'I got a lift.'

"That's nice.

Kira threw her arms around Giana. 'I need a hug.

Her best friend hesitated before patting her back gently. "What's wrong?

"Everything."

Kira didn't pull back until a full minute later.

Giana led her by the hand into the living room. My parents are at work, but my brother Dylan will be back soon. Let's go into my bedroom.'

Kira followed her obediently.

Giana brought her a mug of hot cocoa. 'Dylan finished the last ice cream yesterday. You'll have

to make do with this."

"Thank you.' Kira held the mug with both hands.

Giana sat down on the bed next to her. "You don't look so

Kira had huge dark circles under her eyes.

'I'm fine." Kira stretched her lips into a humourless smile.

"You don't have to pretend in front of me.'

Kira fell silent.

Gideon had said the same thing to her.

Giana patted her shoulder. 'If you don't want to talk about it, just close your eyes and rest. You'll feel better after a nap."

Kira knew she'd made the right call in coming here.

Giana always knew what to do.

'Sorry for abandoning you at The Grillroom last time,' she said.

'Not your fault.' Giana shook her head. 'I was worried about you, though. Your husband looked quite mad when he dragged you away.

Kira lowered her head.

'Is this about him?' Giana ventured a guess.

Kira nodded.

Glana waited for more.

Kira opened her mouth, but she wasn't sure where to begin.

Her mind was a mess.

'Never mind. Just lie down in bed. Giana took the mug from her hands.

"Will you stay with me?"

Giana glanced at her laptop.

She was browsing courses for the next semester before Kira showed up.

'Sure.' She nodded.

The timetable could wait.Text content © .

"Thank you." Kira rested her head on Giana's shoulder. "You're a good friend, Giana. The best."

'Of course I am. Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

Kira thought she could fall asleep quickly since she barely caught a wink last night.

But her mind was in overdrive and refused to shut down.

Her eyes were closed but sleep continued to elude her.

'Still awake?' Giana asked after ten minutes.

Kira nodded.

Her cheek brushed against Giana's shoulder.

"School's reopening soon,' she said. 'Have you picked your classes for next semester?'

'Still trying to decide. I'm considering taking two electives."

"What about

your summer i

'I handed in my notice last week."

'How are things between you and Noah?"

'The same. We both have work, so we meet up on weekends only. He's taking me to the beach. next Saturday, Wanna come?'

'No, thank you. I don't want to be the third wheel.'

'How about you?"

'How about me what?"

'How are things between you and Austyn?"

Kira fell silent again.

Giana squeezed her hand. 'Come on, you know you can tell me anything. Go ahead, unload on

Kira bit her lower lip. 'You and Noah... Do you think he loves you?'

'Sure."

'How can you tell?'

"Well, for one thing, he told me. For another, he gave me half of his

money.'

'He did?' Kira's eyes widened.

*Not to me, exactly. We opened a joint savings account. We made a pact to each put in half of our earnings from the summer job. We're trying to save up for a down payment on a house. It probably will take us a while to get there, but every dollar counts, I guess." -go-lucky attitude.

he future was not something she seriously

ity.

Running Out Of Excuses

Kira was used to living one day at a time.

But Giana was different.

She had set a goal and was working studiously towards it.

The best part was, she had her boyfriend with her every step along the way.

'Dibs on being maid of honour,' Kira said. 'I want to be part of your wedding.

'Sure. Giana ruffled Kira's hair. 'Speaking of weddings, I never got invited to yours.'

"That's because there wasn't one,' Kira said with a bitter smile.

There was no wedding ceremony, no reception and no honeymoon when she married Austyn.

It was a far cry from the dream wedding she once fantasised about.

'So, does that answer sinking lower.

ur question?' Giana changed the topic when she sensed Kira's mood

'Yes, I'm fully convinced now. Noah loves you, there's no doubt about it. He's the perfect boyfriend."

Giana giggled. 'He's not perfect. Noah has his shortcomings, but then so do I. Overall, I think he's not bad.'

Kira buried her head in the pillow.

Her voice came out muffled. 'Do you think Austyn loves me?"

'You guys had an argument?"

'No.'

To have an argument required two parties.

Austyn was absent.